book reviews written and essentially free from erron and has more and better illustrations than competitive books. The topics covered include atomic structure and the electronic structure of the atom; chemical bonding in diatomic and polyatomic molecules, in transition-metal complexes, and in molecular, network, and metallic solids; and the structures of molecules and solids. Bonding is discussed initially in terms of Lewis structures; molecular orbital theory is discussed in more detail than in other introductory texts; the concepts of valence bond theory are also presented. Each chapter is fallowed by a n interesting and instructional set of problems (a total of 128). Each chapter also ~rovidesa list of articles and books which are suitable for more detailed studies. This book covers bonding in somewhat more detail and depth than is found in mast general chemistry texts. However, the level is such that mast students with a sound high school background in chemistry, math, and physics would be able to benefit from its use. One can always find some topics which one would handle differently than the author. The presentation of the relative energies of atomic orbitals seems rather elementary in comparison with other topics in the book. For example, the author daes not discuss the dependence of orbital energies on atomic number or extent of ionization. The discussion of infra-red and Raman speetrascopy is so brief as to be of questionable value. There are several good books on the market which cover similar material. I believe "Chemical Bonds" compares favorably with the best of these. It can be recommended as a teat for college students and for any person who wants an introduction t o modem bonding theory. Ronald C. Johnson Emory University Atlanta, Georgia 30322
The Origins of Life
L E O r ~ e l Salk . Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, California. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1973. vi 237 pp. 21.5 X 14.5 em. Clothbound, $7.50; paperbound, $4.25.
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The non-scientific community always seems t o be particularly fascinated by discovering that scientists speculate. The subjects of their speculation accordingly gain much attention. Any book hearing the title "Origin of Life" is certain to be thus attractive. A scientific treatise, loaded with the vocabulary of science that appears to be jargon to the non-scientist is as useless to this audience as is the emotionridden axe-grinding-for-teleolom that appears from some publishing houses sponsored by fundamentalist theological groups. This hook admirably avoids the first pitfall. Similarly, it is an admirable antidote to the latter kind of poison. The hook is written for non-scientists but the A594
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reader needs t o be willing to use chemical symbolism and to know what such words as "polymerization" mean. The very brief bibliography suggests sources for the more highly trained reader. The author's style is well adapted to his purpose. Clarity is enhanced by his precision and yet not obscured by bulky qualifications. The essential honesty of scientsts' stating how they interpret facts, design experiments to reveal additional facts, and build conceptual schemes to correlate their information is clearly obvious to the reader. There is a n abundance of information in these pages. This makes the hook worthwhile reading for any scientist wanting a balanced over-view of the current status of the problem (e.g., Important prehiotic molecules have recently been discovered in space by the radio-astromers.). There are bits of information that can help teachen concisely drive home important points (e.g., To develop a feeling for the vastness of time, the 100 human generations since the flowering of Greek civilization contrasts to the 10'3 generations of bacterial evolution). Careful statement of summarizing principles provides a sound basis for philosophical views: (e.g., "The replacement of 'will' by 'chance' as the mediator of biological change has transformed our view of man's relation to the rest of the Universe."). Not a few scientists currently are being thrust into the evolution-creationist controversy. This book properly avoids the pseudo-science of trying to answer any question of First Cause. Its information and point of view can well be used by those who properly try to keep "how?" from being obscured hy "why?". Highly recommended! WFK
Salt, the Mysterious Necessity
Edited by Mark Botterson and William W Boddie. The Dow Chemical Company, 1972.112 pp. 31 X 23 cm. $6.95. This little hook could he descriptively entitled "History and Salt" or perhaps "The Part Salt Played in World Trade." If anyone is looking for something pertaining to the chemistry of salt, i t is not present in this hook. Physically the book is very attractive, beautifully illustrated and well written. It consists of a series of short essays written by different individuals. Some of the information in one section overlaps that in otbers. Some of the chapters deal with: The physiological importance of salt, salt production methods and economics during the middle ages, salt and scurvy during long sea voyages, salt and the Aztecs, salt and the Civil War, the part Dow Chemical Company plays in obtaining salt. For history, economics, and trade information, this book provides a simple elementary portrayal. The level of the book is perhaps that of the upper elementary or junior high school grades. Unless one is interested in obtaining a historical back-
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book reviews ground as it pertains t o salt, about the only use this reviewer can envisage for the book in a college course would be information for a paper in a non-science oriented chemistry course. Donald B. Summers New Mexico State University Las Croces. New Mexico 88001
It is not a book which should be cansidered as a research tool. References are scanty. Many statements are made about mechanisms, byproducts, procedures, etc.. without references to the original work. Each chapter concludes with a bibliography as a guide to further reading. This work provides a broad introduction t o the polymer field for anyone with s hackground in basic organic chemistry. J . A. Moore Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181
Organic Polymer Chemistry
K J Sounders, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Toronto. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1973. ix 473 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16cm. 518.00
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This hook treats the synthesis and, in same instances, the modification of polymers which find technological use. For the mast part, only polymers of commercial significance are considered. It is organized by the functional groups in the polymer and each commercial polymer containing that functionality is discussed as an individual subunit (1, Basic Concepts; 2, Polyolefins; 3, Polystyrene and styrene copolymers; 4, Poly(viny1 chloride) and related polymers; 5, Poly(viny1 acetate) and related polymers; 6, Acrylic polymers; 7, Fluoropolymers; 8, Polyethers; 9, Palyamides and related polymers; 10, Polyesters; 11, Cellulose and related polymers; 12, Phenol-formaldehyde polymers; 13. Aminapalymers; 14, Polyurethanes; 15, Silicones; 16, Epoxies; 17, Sulfur-containing polymers; 18, Palydienes; 19, Miscellaneous polymers). Thus, the chapter entitled "Polyethers" contains several suhheadings which include "Polyformaldehyde," "Polymers of Cyclic Ethers," "Polyethylene Oxide," etc. These provide an introduction to the preparation and polymerization of various monomers on the industrial level illustrated by chemical equations. Degradation and stabilization of the particular polymers is also discussed. Industrially useful copolymers (of the polymer under discussion) are mentioned, where applicable. The physical properties of the various polymers as well as their commercial use are also provided. The hook is well written, easy to read, concise, and contains sufficient equations so that most statements can be readily followed. It is a specific book, in that it deals solely with commercial polymers and generalization to other systems is not emphasized, hut may be inferred. It can be understood after two semesters of organic chemistry and it may find use by advanced undergraduate-beginning graduate students as preliminary reading matter before going on to more advanced books such as "Textbook of Polymer Science" by Billmeyer and "Organic Chemistry of Synthetic High Polymers" by Lenz. However, it does not contain any description of the physical chemistry of macromolecules and therefore, does not constitute a "complete package." In addition, specific criteria of performance (tensile strength, etc.) are given without a background or frame of reference. A596
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Journal of Chemical Education
An Introduction l o Air Chemistry
Samuel S. Butcher and Robert J Charlson. Academic Press, New York, 1972. xiii 241 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. 510.95.
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This book is designed to he a textbook for a course in air chemistry. A strong emphasis is placed upon the relationship between analytical chemistry and metearology. It is also designed to be a reference work for persons such as meteorologists, laboratory chemists, and technicians working in the area of air pollution. The chapters in the book are (1)Introduction (the evolution and composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric chemical cycles); (2) Summary of Chemical Principles (principally a review of physical chemistry); (3) Sampling and Collection; (4) Treatment of Data; (5) Special Methods of Analysis (a discussion of gas chromatography, spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, mass spectrometry, remote sensing with lasers, and correlation spectrometry); (6) The Atmospheric Chemistry of Sulfur Compounds; (7) Nitrogen Compounds and Ozone; (8) Carbon Compounds; and (9) Aerosols. In general the book is well written. It contains a large number of timely references which are up to date. The quality of production is goad and it appears to be free of major errors. The illustratians are well done, though not elahorate, and are adequate in number. The extensive glossary of terms is a very useful feature. Although the authors have assumed only a background in general chemistry, same organic chemistry is presented. A more balanced text would have resulted from assuming a background in organic chemistry and including much mare discussion of reactions of organic compounds in the atmosphere. Important omissions from the hook are a detailed discussion of the principles of photochemistry and a discussion of some of the proposed mechanisms of photochemical smog formation, It is not possible to treat some of the more important aspects of air chemistry in a meaningful way without a basic understanding of photochemistry. Although the mechanisms of smog formation are still obscure, some of the main features of the process are known. and a detailed discussion of same of the proposed reaction sequences involved in the process should have been included.
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